Pageant Retouched Photo

Chandra, first be sure to work off a copy of the original as a second layer keeping the first layer "background" eye closed (not sure what your program has) so you don't see or work off of it.

So, on the second layer, which is a copy of the entire photo, first, I *quickly* cut and pasted just her head/hair/hoodie to a new layer (should be your third layer) and then straightened her out...obviously you would take your time to get a clean extraction. When you're happy with how the head meshes with the body, merge the two layers (2nd and 3rd).

Next, for the background, again you'd take your time extracting or erasing, whatever method you're comfortable with, around her hoodie. I would make another copy now of the photo with her head in the straightened position and not work off a second copy of the fixed photo. This should now be your third layer. Add a blank layer and move it underneath your top layer (which should have the erased background). On the blank layer for simple-sake, just "pour" a color into it so you can see the result. I just added a pink-tinted background, nothing fancy.

There may have been something else done that I'm not remembering but just ask if you don't get it. I'm not the greatest at explaining. I started confusing myself

well i played with it for a little bit and you gotta remember this is my first time... i dont think the editing is that bad but its still NOTHING close to what im looking for.. imay jst have to break down and dish out the the money for someone to make me one... but here's my go at it..

You are correct on the sharpening, It is too much. But the retouch of the face is not bad. Your not quite perfectly strait but the crop is much better. But with that said i would come out a bit and straiten and center a bit better. [View >>> show>>> Grid] should help with the straitening

Add some D&B, a simple D&B is shown below. It just adds definition. The re-crop I did in my view is to tight and should be zoomed out.

-Keven

*starts with original then with D&B and next straitened and last D&B layer

I know its long, but from what you have done so far, it will just take it one step further.

The Dodge, Burn, and Sponge Tools
These three tools mimic photographic techniques to lighten or darken images. Dodge is
used to lighten an image, Burn darkens an image, while the Sponge tool increases the
(colour) saturation. Select the desired tool and scroll over the area or selection of the
image you want to darken.

You can use D&B to make 2d appear 3d. See ball below found here The next picture is a picture of a light and shadow map of the face. Use it as a guide, but you do not need to use all of it all the time. The light present in every picture should be your MAIN guide. A basic guide Is to make lighter inner and darker outer or make the closest part lighter (always lightn tward the light).

Hiya, I just found this board from another photog board I regular. I am so happy to be here! I had a try at your little darling. I chose to do the one no one else attempted yet... it is a small photo so the results are limited but I hope you like what I came up with... being new to this board I hope I can manage to attach the file properly